New beginnings are always a great time! I am constantly in awe of the resoluteness one needs for the closing of the door behind to walk slowly but assuredly away from one’s comfort. And then how soon it can be followed by the exhilaration and anticipation of new worlds to be found in the opening of the doors ahead.
This is where I find myself. Wanting… Maybe even needing… to enter a new unexplored world. Yet I still enjoy and find fulfillment and rest in the world in which I presently reside.
Living simultaneously in two worlds… It can’t last forever… But while it does, I will enjoy the ride.
His most treasured possession, the jersey from his junior-season The Scholar’s Tournament championships.
He didn’t play in that division his senior year: it was foregone by an early admission into Brighton and Sussex.
The hallway contained all his firsts. The first fish caught … at five.
The morning of his first deliveries on his paper route.
There are many others… I look at each to relive the memory.
A trio of photographs of his tournament victories in the family dart tourneys from Barnoqal’s, the pub down the street. After winning the youth division from 9 years to 12 years, he stopped playing and began playing winter football with a regional league.
But medical school had always been his driving force. The sports were a way to entertain himself.
Soon, his diploma – most probably a copy of it- he’ll keep the original in his office – will be up here as well.
Written for Sunday Flash Fiction – July 15, 2018. Requirements: Create a flash fiction story (under 200 words) using the photo prompt provided.
Since we are approaching the hottest part of our summer in the northern hemisphere, what’s your favorite ice-cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet flavor? (Those of you who live down under I’m sure you remember what it is like in the hot summer months).
How often do you people watch?
If you had a choice which would be your preference salt water beaches, fresh water lakes, ocean cruise, hot tub, ski resort or desert?
Since we are approaching the hottest part of our summer in the northern hemisphere, what’s your favorite ice-cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet flavor? (Those of you who live down under I’m sure you remember what it is like in the hot summer months).
Raspberry Ice cream
Blackberry ice cream
Butter-Pecan ice cream
Moose tracks ice cream
Pistachio ice cream
Rocky road ice cream
Banana splits, with the works – of course, are the best!
How often do you people watch?
Any time I go to the theater or a sporting event I am often people watching as my as event watching.
If you had a choice which would be your preference salt water beaches, fresh water lakes, ocean cruise, hot tub, ski resort or desert?
A secluded forest cabin (complete with air conditioning and shower/campsite to a fresh-water lake (Yes, my definition of roughing-it has changed.)
Goals and beliefs that are important enough for sacrifices?
Are you out-to-change-the world to make it a better place?
Are you motivated to self-sacrifice because of love?
Or are you driven because of hate?
Have you listened to the words of those around you?
Are you even listening to the words that come from you?
Is this a place in your world for those that have different opinions or is your world for only those who agree with you?
Written for DAILY ADDICTIONS: DEDICATE. I have been having problems finding something of meaning to create an answer for the prompts this year. So I decided to strengthen and tighten my focus. My chosen topics are as follows: (Monday) Life in Retirement; (Tuesday) Hobbies: Archaeology and Astronomy; (Wednesday) Fitness; (Thursday) Chores; (Friday) Writing; (Saturday) Hobbies: Music and Photography; and (Sunday) Hobbies: Gardening and Birdwatching.
Written for DAILY ADDICTIONS: VIBRANT. I have been having problems finding something of meaning to create an answer for the prompts this year. So I decided to strengthen and tighten my focus. My chosen topics are as follows: (Monday) Life in Retirement; (Tuesday) Hobbies: Archaeology and Astronomy; (Wednesday) Fitness; (Thursday) Chores; (Friday) Writing; (Saturday) Hobbies: Music and Photography; and (Sunday) Hobbies: Gardening and Birdwatching.
The things that satellites and ground-penetrating radar from planes and mobile devices can perceive is amazing!
Written for DAILY ADDICTIONS: INNOVATIVE. I have been having problems finding something of meaning to create an answer for the prompts this year. So I decided to strengthen and tighten my focus. My chosen topics are as follows: (Monday) Life in Retirement; (Tuesday) Hobbies: Archaeology and Astronomy; (Wednesday) Fitness; (Thursday) Chores; (Friday) Writing; (Saturday) Hobbies: Music and Photography; and (Sunday) Hobbies: Gardening and Birdwatching.
A-life-of-leisure can be great … but it might be too easy for a-life-of-leisure to become a-life-of-lazy.
If you Google leisure you get two definitions …
Use of free time for enjoyment
Opportunity afforded by free time to do something
There is nothing wrong with either definition … but you might enjoy your new life if you allow BOTH of the definitions to infiltrate your life.
Definition #1 – Nothing wrong with enjoying your spare time. But remember, that is what it is … spare time. You are still supposed to have a purpose in life.
Definition #2 – Having extra time to doing something that you have a passion for. This definition already has purpose written into the definition.
Food for Thought.
Written for DAILY ADDICTIONS: CONVENIENT. I have been having problems finding something of meaning to create an answer for the prompts this year. So I decided to strengthen and tighten my focus. My chosen topics are as follows: (Monday) Life in Retirement; (Tuesday) Hobbies: Archaeology and Astronomy; (Wednesday) Fitness; (Thursday) Chores; (Friday) Writing; (Saturday) Hobbies: Music and Photography; and (Sunday) Hobbies: Gardening and Birdwatching.
Is your new life vibrant and exciting or has it become more wilted and frail than you had imagined?
The key to vibrancy is a balanced life.
Here are five avenues you can re-explore if you find your new retirement in the down-swing:
Spiritual
Give thanks for the world around you. Be thankful for the people you are now intersecting. Journal. Go for walks. Self- reflect. Listen to your heart.
Social
Yes, I know. The people with whom you were once in relationship – many daily – are not there. But there are new people around you. Just as you had a working routine… establish a retirement routine. Explore some of your former passions that when working were left by the side-of-the-road.
Financial
Money looks very different (probably). Reallocate a monies for a new budget. What goals do you now want to establish for the next 50 years?
Physical Health
Eat well. Eat more often. Smaller meals are better for you. Drink. Drink more water that you did while working. You’re getting older. The additional water with assist your body with its daily needs. Think about a new vitamin. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Try new recipes.
Celebrations
Do something rewarding every day – a novel, a musical composition, a nature walk? Plan a event for yourself each week. Put it on your schedule. Yes, retirement should still include a schedule.
I hope you will find these helpful. Yes, I made the suggestions shot and clipped… not full, flourishing and preachy.
If one of the suggestions produced an inner-twang in your heart… DO IT! You may have found a missing part!
Written for DAILY ADDICTIONS: FRAIL. I have been having problems finding something of meaning to create an answer for the prompts this year. So I decided to strengthen and tighten my focus. My chosen topics are as follows: (Monday) Life in Retirement; (Tuesday) Hobbies: Archaeology and Astronomy; (Wednesday) Fitness; (Thursday) Chores; (Friday) Writing; (Saturday) Hobbies: Music and Photography; and (Sunday) Hobbies: Gardening and Birdwatching.
His most treasured possession, the jersey from his junior-season The Scholar’s Tournament championships.
Written for 
